turning to international news, syria's state run news agency announced the release of detained dissidents arrested in the past nine months. the agency said 755 prisoners have been freed but none with, in their words, blood on their hands. it comes as an arab league observer team is in the country. in yemen, hundreds of government employees walked off the job in a spreading strike over alleged corruption linked to the country's outgoing president. the employees are rallying to demand reform and the firing of top managers. corruption was one of the grievances that prompted mass protests against president saleh. those are just some of the latest headlines. >> middle and high school students, for this year's studentcam video competition, we want to tell you -- you want -- we want you to tell us which part of the u.s. constitution is important to you. get the documentary to c-span by january 20, 2012, for your chance to win the grand prize of $5,000. and there is $50,000 in total prize is. it is open to students grade 6- 12. for details, go to studentcam.org. >> with the iowa caucuses next wee